Palm Sunday (2026)

“Look Up, To See Your King”

Text: Zechariah 9:9–10 Supporting: Matthew 21:1–11; Philippians 2:5–11

Goal

That we would look up to see and trust Jesus as our humble King who comes to save us.

Malady

We fail to see Jesus rightly because we are looking in the wrong places—for power, control, and visible glory. Our sin blinds us to the humble ways our King comes, leaving us disappointed, restless, and missing Him altogether. Even when He is right in front of us, we do not recognize Him.

Means

Your King comes to you—righteous, humble, and bringing salvation—not to meet your expectations, but to meet your deepest need. In His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus wins forgiveness and peace for you. Through His Word and Sacrament, He still comes, lifting your eyes so you can see and trust Him.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction (Hook)

There’s a story about a man who traveled to a great city to see a famous parade.

He had heard about it for years— how powerful it was, how beautiful, how unforgettable. So he made the trip, found his place along the street, and waited.

When the parade began, the crowds erupted. Music filled the air. People were cheering. Something magnificent was clearly passing by.

But the man… never saw it.

Because the entire time, he was looking down at his phone.

Checking messages. Watching clips. Reading updates about the very parade happening right in front of him.

He was there. He was in the right place. It was happening before his eyes.

And he missed it.

Now imagine someone tapping him on the shoulder and saying:

“Look up… you’re missing it.”

That’s Palm Sunday.

But a king really does ride into a real city. Coats are thrown down on the road. Branches are cut and waved in the air. Children are shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” People are saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

The whole city is stirred up. Everyone sees the man on the donkey. But not everyone sees their King.

Because as Zechariah says:

“See, your King comes to you.”

The King is here.

The only question is—

Will you see Him?

The King We Expect vs. The King Who Comes

If all Zechariah had said was:

“Your King is coming…”

We would fill in the rest.

We would imagine: strength; power; control; visible victory.

And then, centuries later, it happens just as Zechariah said. Jesus sends two disciples:

“Go into the village… you’ll find a donkey and a colt. Bring them to Me.”

He sits on that borrowed animal and rides into Jerusalem. Matthew tells us this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet. The promise meets the palm branches. The prophecy meets the parade.

And that’s exactly what the crowd did.

They saw Jesus. They shouted “Hosanna!” They welcomed Him as King.

But they were expecting a different kind of King.

One who would overthrow Rome. A king who would fix their circumstances. A king who matched their expectations.

And so—even as they praised Him—

They misunderstood Him.

Because Zechariah had already made it clear:

This King is: —righteous —bringing salvation —gentle —riding on a donkey

And that didn’t fit their expectations.

And it doesn’t fit ours either.

Because we are constantly looking for peace in the wrong places.

You cry out,

“Lord, if you are King, why is my life like this?”

You look for Him in obvious miracles, in instant fixes. But He comes to you in a hospital room through a quiet Scripture reading, in a whispered Absolution, in a wafer placed in trembling hands. If you are only looking for a King of visible power, you will miss the King who comes to you in humble grace.

Just like Israel trusted: —horses —chariots —political alliances

We trust: —control —success —influence —political parties —distractions —even our own efforts

All the things we think will give us peace. But they don’t.

When you think, “If I can just get this promotion, this election result, this diagnosis, I’ll have peace”—that’s a false king.

When you can’t stop checking the news, the market, or your phone because you’re terrified of losing control—that’s looking down instead of looking up.

All of these things are false kings.

And when the true King comes—

We don’t recognize Him.

Because He comes:

quietly

humbly

differently

And so we miss Him.

The King You Actually Need

“See, your King comes to you.”

Everything turns on that phrase.

Not: you go to Him. Not: you rise high enough, clean yourself up enough, or figure things out enough.

He comes to you.

And He comes as exactly the King you need— even if He is not the King you would have chosen.

He Comes Already Victorious

Zechariah says He comes “righteous and having salvation.”

Which means this is not a King entering uncertainty.

This is a King entering Jerusalem with the outcome already determined.

He comes already victorious.

That’s the remarkable thing—Palm Sunday is not the beginning of a struggle where we wonder how it will turn out. It is the moment where the victory is already assured, even though the battle is still ahead.

He is not hoping to win.

He is not trying to secure salvation.

He is bringing it with Him.

Every step He takes toward Jerusalem… every step toward the cross…

is a step taken in certain victory.

He Comes to Wage War—for You

But make no mistake—your King is coming to wage war.

Zechariah makes that clear when he speaks of chariots being removed, war horses cut off, and battle bows broken.

This King is ending war.

Which means He is fighting one.

And here is the tension:

Who is He fighting against?

Because if He comes in righteousness…

If He comes with divine authority…

If He comes as Judge…

Then He has every reason to come against you.

Because of your sin. Because of your compromises. Because of the false kings you trust.

But that is not what He does.

He comes—

Not to wage war against you—

But to wage war for you.

Against your real enemies:

Sin that condemns you. Death that claims you. The devil who accuses you.

He comes to destroy them.

And He does it not with visible force…

But by allowing those very enemies to do their worst to Him.

He lets sin be placed on Him. He lets death take Him. He lets the devil think he has won.

And in that very moment— He wins.

So how does He wage that war? Not in the way most would think…

He Comes in Humility—On Purpose

And that’s why He rides a donkey.

Not because He has no power—

But because He chooses this path.

This is not weakness.

This is a King entering on His own terms.

A deliberate, visible, unmistakable statement:

“This is how I rule.”

Not with coercion. Not with intimidation. Not with force.

But with mercy.

With sacrifice.

With love that gives itself completely.

The humility of your King is not an accident.

As Paul says,

“Though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant…”

That’s what you see on the donkey.

It is the very way He saves you.

He Comes to Establish True Peace

Zechariah says:

“I will take away the chariots… the war horses… the battle bow.”

Everything people trust for peace—

Removed.

Because those things never gave real peace.

They only gave the illusion of control.

And we know how easily we still chase those illusions.

But your King comes to replace all of it with something real:

“He will proclaim peace to the nations.”

Not fragile peace.

Not temporary peace.

But peace with God.

The kind of peace that does not depend on circumstances… or outcomes… or your performance…

Because it is grounded in what Christ has done.

Forgiveness that is complete. Righteousness that is given. A relationship with God that is restored forever.

And that peace is not just something He won back then.

It is something He still brings now.

He Comes to You Still

That same King—

Still comes to you.

Not riding into Jerusalem—

But coming through His Word.

Speaking forgiveness into your ears.

Declaring you righteous.

Not with crowds shouting—

But in Absolution that quietly says:

“I forgive you all your sins.”

Not with spectacle—

But in bread and wine.

Giving you His body and blood.

Still humble.

Still powerful.

Still your King—

Coming to you.

Application: Look Up

Look up— When you are tempted to trust lesser kings. Look up— When your heart chases false peace. Look up— When God seems hidden.

Because your King is not absent.

He is present.

He is coming.

To you.

Look up—not by generating some new spiritual feeling, but by hearing His Word, where He is already speaking to you.

Look up—by coming to His Table, where He places His body and blood into your hands. You are not finding Him. He is finding you.

Conclusion

That man at the parade missed everything—

Not because he wasn’t there…

But because he wasn’t looking.

Don’t you miss this.

Your King comes to you.

Not in judgment—

But in grace.

Not against you—

But for you.

So today—

Don’t look down. Don’t look around.

Look up—

and see your King, who comes not against you but for you, who has taken your sin, conquered your death, silenced your accuser, and now gives you His peace.

In the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Prayers of the Church – Palm Sunday

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

Heavenly Father, You call us to look up and see our King, who comes to us in humility and grace. Grant that Your Church would faithfully proclaim Christ crucified and risen, that many would see Him rightly and trust in Him for salvation. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, humble King, we confess that we often look for peace in the wrong places and trust in lesser kings. Forgive us for our misplaced trust, and fix our eyes on You alone, that we may receive the righteousness, salvation, and peace You bring. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

O God of all nations, You alone establish true and lasting peace. We pray for the world, especially in places of conflict and unrest. We lift before You the ongoing military operations in the Middle East. Grant wisdom to leaders, protection to those who serve, and, according to Your will, bring an end to violence and establish peace where there is turmoil. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Gracious Lord, You are our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Be with all who suffer in body or mind. We pray especially for Michelle Holland, that You would continue to grant her healing and strength as she recovers from neck surgery. We also lift up Kim Jacobs as she prepares for back surgery this coming week—grant skill to the surgeons, a successful procedure, and a full and steady recovery. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, You come to us still through Your Word and Sacraments. Prepare our hearts to come this Holy Thursday to receive Christ rightly, that we may not overlook His humble presence but rejoice in the forgiveness and peace He delivers. Strengthen our faith through these means of grace. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Lord of the Church, bless our congregation in all its work and ministry. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, united in faith, and bold in love, that we may reflect the humility and mercy of our King in our daily lives. Lord, in Your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.